Sun and bluebird skies of summer, the vibrant colors of fall, and the cozy snow drifts and fireplaces of winter. 

Because if the mechanicals need protection from the locals, the renters must feel the need for protection from them also.Just my 2 cents. the issue with dogs is the windows are removed and the metal window coverings have holes in them to allow circulation. so in the winter in Chicago its freezing in those houses so they have to use portable lights and portable heaters to work inside.. its truly a shame that its come to this for rehabbers and builders..

If yes please let me know more about it.I am asking this question as I am interested in buying and managing a Multi-Family or Apartment or commercial building in North Carolina ( Charlotte or Raleigh).Thanks/Regards,Ram Many Canadians visit my area in the winter and own properties here.

Some people are Ebenezer Scrooge living on one lump of coal in the winter . 

Either way your main goal is to get that gas back on before winter. 

And personally I love buying property during the winter months, sellers get desperate and I’ve found there to be less competition from other buyers.

I'm looking for somewhere that at the very least, would make a great winter home when I retire in fifteen to twenty years....  

Increase the rent for each on a worst case scenario (You know: the tenants that realize that not paying for heat means they can leave the windows open in the winter and not paying for water will never get a leaky faucet reported.

So, we have them listing as STR in the more busy seasons, and we transition them into MTRs during the winters, or slower seasons.

One of my cabin's is up on a knob off a mountain in the Smokies so different environment than you but the issues are probably the same and they all revolve around winter, albeit I am guessing yours will be much worse than ours.Mild scenario is where guest are at the cabin and a snow/ice storm hits while they are at the cabin.